Otto Eduard Leopold, commonly known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian leader who dominated German and European affairs from the 1860s until 1890. He was also the first Chancellor of the German Empire (1871 to 1890). Bismarck was appointed in 1862 by King Wilhelm I as Minister President of Prussia, a position he would hold until 1890. He launched three short, decisive wars against Denmark, Austria, and France. After receiving the support of the independent South German states in the Confederat... moreOtto Eduard Leopold, commonly known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian leader who dominated German and European affairs from the 1860s until 1890. He was also the first Chancellor of the German Empire (1871 to 1890). Bismarck was appointed in 1862 by King Wilhelm I as Minister President of Prussia, a position he would hold until 1890. He launched three short, decisive wars against Denmark, Austria, and France. After receiving the support of the independent South German states in the Confederation's defeat of France, he formed the German Empire in 1871, unifying Germany and having himself as Imperial Chancellor, while retaining control of Prussia at the same time. After the unification of Germany by 1871, he tactfully used balance of power diplomacy to maintain Germany's position in a Europe which, despite many disputes and war threats, remained at peace. Historians often cite Bismarck as an "undisputed world champion at the game of multilateral diplomatic chess for almost twenty years after 1871, who devoted himself exclusively, and successfully, to maintaining peace between the powers".
Bismarck invasion of Alsace-Lorraine nonetheless gave new fuel to French nationalism and promoted hatred of Germany in France. This aided in setting the stage for World War I. Bismarck's powerful rule at home gained him the nickname the "Iron Chancellor". German unification and its rapid economic growth was the foundation to his foreign policy. He disliked colonialism but reluctantly built an overseas empire when it was demanded by both elite and mass opinion. Handling a very complex interlocking series of conferences, negotiations and alliances, he used his diplomatic skills to maintain Germany's position and used the balance of power to keep Europe at peace in the 1870s and 1880s. Bismarck was a master of complex politics at home and created the first welfare state in the modern world, with the goal of gaining working class support that might otherwise go to his Socialist enemies. He was a devout Lutheran and loyal to the king, who argued with Bismarck often but in the end supported him. While the Reichstag, Germany's parliament, was elected by a system of voting, it did not have much control of government policy. Bismarck distrusted democracy and ruled through a strong, well-trained bureaucracy with power in the hands of the elite. Bismarck was strong-willed, outspoken and overbearing, but he could also be charming and witty. He displayed a violent temper occasionally, and he kept his power by sensationally threatening resignation time and again, which intimidated Wilhelm I. Bismarck became a hero to German nationalists; they built many monuments honoring the founder of the new Reich. Many historians praise him as a visionary who was instrumental in uniting Germany and, once that had been accomplished, kept the peace in Europe through clever diplomacy.
